Three card poker, slot machine games, roulette, blackjack, sports betting, bingo… there are so many games available for persons to participate in, not just for entertainment but many are also involved in gambling.  These games can be accessed not only at casinos but also online.  Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose and the sad reality is this activity can become addictive like a drug and many struggle to break free from this addiction.

Gambling has the potential to ruin your life. You probably chose to participate in this activity out of curiosity or peer pressure but I can tell you that it has the potential to destroy you emotionally, physically, financially and spiritually.  I have been there and I lost everything that I held dear to me and I thank God that He was able to deliver me and has equipped me with the ability to use my experience to assist other young people.

Young people, God cares about your well-being, He understands your struggle and He is more than able to heal you from this gambling addiction.  

God Cares about your Well-Being

God created you in His image and your welfare is important to Him. A life consumed in gambling can have devastating effect on not just the financial loss experienced by many persons, but it can affect your emotional well-being causing major stress and anxiety. This can result in other life threatening illnesses.   God says in His word that “Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.” 3 John 2:2.  Above all things, God wants you to be in good health so that you can enjoy the abundant life He has prepared for you.

Sometimes you may feel that God is absent as you experience financial struggles and need a way out but gambling is not the solution. Seek God and trust Him to provide for you as He knows our needs and He’s able to provide. “Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is cast into the oven, shallhe not much more clotheyou, O ye of little faith?” Matthew 6:30. 

God has a special plan for your life and He wants to fulfill His plan in your life.  He says “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Jeremiah 29:11.  Young people you are created for a special purpose and God wants to fulfill His plan in your life. You have been endowed with special gifts and talents and God wants you to use your talents wisely as you seek to give glory to Him.

 God Understands your Struggle

You may be struggling right now to break free of this addiction and God sees and He understands. He is a God of mercy and compassion and it is not his desire to see any of His children destroy their lives.  “For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of ourinfirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.” Hebrews 4:15.  God knows our weaknesses and you can always trust Him to free you from this gambling addiction.

The enemy wants to destroy the lives of young people but “Noweapon that is formed against thee shallprosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the Lord.” Isaiah 54:17. You are not in this fight alone – God is with you and He’s holding your hand. Just trust and believe in Him.

God understands your situation – he sees the many times you tried to quit and yet you went back to embezzle or use your last savings to return to this activity, He understands the disappointments you face when you have this high adrenaline rush and thought you’re now a millionaire but, you again experience another loss. God’s mercy is still extended to you and He can provide the help you need.

He is able to Heal and Restore.

“Is there anything too hard for the Lord?” (see Jeremiah  32:27). Absolutely, nothing is too hard for the Lord to do. To break free from this addiction, you first need to admit that you cannot fight this battle alone and you need God to help you. We serve a mighty God who is bigger than that addiction you are struggling with right now and He will provide the help you need. David says in Psalms 34:4 “.I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.”

“Birds of a feather flock together”. You cannot expect to soar like an eagle into the person God wants you to become if you are constantly surrounded by negative influences who continue to lure you to participate in this activity. Seeking support from believers in Christ who will pray and support you is vital for your recovery. James 5:16 says “Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. “ 

You can conquer this addiction in your own strength so pray and ask God to give you strength.  God has great plans for your life and you have to pledge within your heart that you will not be controlled by gambling. “Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart. “ 2 Timothy 2:22. 

It is now time for you to step out into who God wants you to be and I am on this journey to guide you on your road to recovery. God has a great purpose for your life and now is the time to discover those buried talents that He has blessed you with.  

Win or lose in gambling but a life anchored in Christ is a definite win.

Gambling ruined 4 years of my life.  However my recovery has been slow and I am still learning more about my real true self every day. For this purpose, I have developed a platform, https://gambling-addictions.com/, where you can find sincere advice from ex-addicts and also share your story to reach out for help.